Traffic signal



y 3, 1930. E. c. TAYLOR 1,758,205

TRAFFIC SIGNAL Original Filed April 7, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet h l I" .dullmm INVENTOR. 0/ 50%: 125 23 (T. 6, ATTORNEY.

E. C. TAYLOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL May 13, 1930.

Original Fil-ed April '7, 1924 l l I 5 Sheets- Sheet 2 May 13, 1930. E. c. TAYLOR 1,758,205

TRAFFI C S IGNAL Original Filed April 7, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 a. 6. frkafi ATTORNEY.

May 13, 1930. 1,758,205

E. .C. TAYLOR TRAFFIC SIIGNALV Original Filed' April 7, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 C. 6 m ATTORNEY.

y 13, E. c TAYLOR 1,758,205

TRAFFI C S IGNAL Original Filed April 7, 1924 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 fig .27

INVENTOR.

0.6, 1 ATTORNEY,

Patented May 13, 1930 issa Fries EDWARD coornn TAYLOR, or Yonxnns, NEW YORK TRAFFIC SIGNAL Substitute for application Serial No. '7 04,671, filed April 7, 1924. This application filed July 26, 1929. Serial No. 381,340. I

This invention relates to an improvement in traffic signals, and with respect to its more specific features to signals to be carried by motor vehicles.

An object of the invention is to provide a compact, light-weight signal of the charac ter specified, simple in construction and of pleasing appearance, and capable of displaying on a common field, a selected one or more of a number of different signals or designs, w1thout the use of moving parts.

Another object is torprovide a construction wherein the signal indications or .designs are made visible each by light striking at a selected angle, thus to enable the display of the selected design while the other designs are left in darkness.

Another object is to provide a signal having a plurality of designs with parts in come mon and parts peculiar toeach design and with all of the parts in the same plane, each design made visible by lighttransmitted from a selected angle, to enable the display of a selected design while the parts peculiar to the other design remain in darkness.

Another object is to provide in such a signal, means to distinctively color the light from each of the selected angles during its transmission to the design, thereby to display the. designs in distinctive colors.

Another object is to provide in such a signal, having a number of signal indications or designs visible by transmittedlight, and means to illuminate a selected indication with light of a distinctive color, a park? ing lens so arranged that when any indication is illuminated the parking lens will" be also illuminated, serving thus as a tell-tale to indicate the functioning of the signal.

With this and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts fully described hereinafter, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the appended claims;

it being understood that various changes inthe form, proportion, size and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing-from the spirit of the invention. 7

FigureQO is va plan view of for a turn indication.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof;

'Figure 1 is a front View of the improved signal, as it appears by reflectedlight.

1 Figures Qand 3 are similar views, with the warning legends displayed.

Figures 4 and 5 are front views, with the turn indications displayed;

Figure 6 is a frontview of the back of the casing, with the cover removed.

Figure 7 is a rear view of the cover. Figure 8 is a perspective view of theback of the casing, looking from thefront.

- Figure 9 is a perspective view of the light screen and ray filter for the speed change indications or warning legends.

Figure 10 is an end view of the back of the casing. 1

Figure 11 is a similar View of the cover or front, with the light screen and filter for the legends in place.

Figure 12 is a front view of the stencil plate having the speed change indications. Figurel is a perspective view of the plate, looking from the right. i

Figure 14 is a similar view, looking from the left. I

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the plate, looking from the right and from below.

I Figure 16 is a plan view of the blank from which the central screen is formed. 1

Figure 17 is a plan view of the translucent plate, forming the white reflector for the indications. and the concealing means for the speed change indications or legends. V g Figure 18 is a perspective view of the tail light collar, detached from the casing.

, Figure 19; is a plan View ring.

a light filter Figure 21 is am -enlarged detail in plan of a part ofthe stencil plate.

Figure 22 is a front view of the supporting bracket. 7

Figure 23 is a plan view of a part of the blank forming the bracket.

of the retaining Figure-25 is a front view'of the stencil plate for the front signal. 7' V V Figure 26 isa perspective view of the ray filter for the same, used for the display field.

Figure 27 is a diagrammatic-view of the wiring for the signal.

In the present invention 1 provide a traffic signal for indicating to the drivers of other vehicles, traflic ofiicers and the like, the intentions of the driver of the car, ,as to stopping, changes in direction and the like, the signal indications being so arranged that they stand out vividly by transmitted light,

and sundry of the indications by reflected light, especially designed for the rear of a car, but capable with minor changes for use at the front, and I also provide means where by the signal indications at the front'and rear may be simultaneously controlled to display like indications. In the embodiment of the invention shown, a casing is provided,

composed of shells 1 and 2, the former a back or body and the latter a front or cover, and the flanges of the shells fit one within the other to form the side walls of the casing.

The shells are of suitable sheet material, cut and stamped or otherwise brought to shape, and they cooperate with certain transparent or translucent sheets and lenses to form aclosed receptacle, which is supported by a bracket plate of heavier material. 7

The bracket plate, by means of which the casing is connected to a car and to a license plate, comprises a body portion 3, having lateral extensions 1, longitudinally slotted at 5 for receiving bolts to connect the license plate to the bracket and the bracket to the car, and the said extensions are at'the bottom of the bracket. At each side edge of the bracket body flan es 6 and 6 extend forwardly, and the anges extend well above the top of the body as shown.

Each flange has an inwardly, extending lug 7 at its top, and'a pair of outwardly extending lugs 8 and 8*, intermediate its ends, and the corresponding lugs: of the pairs are inregister. The flange 6 has. another lug 9, extending outwardly andupwardly above the lug 5, andth'e extremity thereof is parallel with the flange. The ends of the lugs 8 are thickened or reinforced by bending over the extremity of the lug upon the body, for

a purpose to be presently described, and all ofthe lugs are formed from the material of the flanges. Thus openings are through the flanges at the lugs.

The back or body is deeply, notched at its lower edge, the notches spaced apart adistance corresponding to the distance between the flanges of the bracket, and these notches receive the flanges, the back beingslipped down in front ofthe bracket body, until the top wall or flange rests upon the lugs 7. The

provided lower wall or flange is engaged beneath the lugs 8- and thesaid lugs and the lugs 7 look i the back'tightly to the bracket. 7

Each flange-6 and 6 has an opening near its upper end, one of which, that in the flange 6, gives passage to an electric light socket 10,

while that in the flange lti aii'ords an attachment for a socket 10. The socket'10 is supported by the lug 9, and the sockets hold:

tending transversely between the flanges, andsupported thereby. The partition platehas angular end portions which fit the inner faces of the flanges above the plate and are secured theretoby screws 12*.

Thecasing is divided into three compartments by the partition 12 above mentioned, and a partition 12 arranged below the par tition 12, and the bulbsll and 11 are in the upper compartment.

supports for sockets 14, holding bulbs 16 and 16, which extend through the openings I The ends of the partition plate 14 larebent downwardly at an angle to the body, as'shown at 15 and 15, toform of the flanges formed by the bending of the lugs 8, 8 and 9.

It will be noticed, referring to'Figure' 1, that the casing as a whole is roughly oblong in shape, and may be considered as comprising a' body, the space between the flanges 6 and 6 and wings, comprising the spaces in the ends outside the wings. Since these end spaces or chambers communicate with the middle compartment through the openings in the bracket flanges, the central compartment is of greater length than the upper and lower compartments.

The lower compartment contains a bulb 19,

held in a socket 18, which is supported by the.

end 15 of the plate 14, and this source oflight is designed to serve as a tail light, and to illumlnate the license plate, which is directly below it. A frame 20 closes the bottom of the r terial, a centralsheet 21, and lateral sheets 22 and 22, which are set at an angle to the sheet 21. The sheets, which may be of any suitable material, as forinstance glass or celluloid, are .of difierent color, the sheet 21wl1ite, the sheet 22 green, and the sheet'QQ red. The sheets 22 and 22 provide colored side lights, and the flanges 6 and 6 have circular openings in line with-the sheets for'transmitting the light. i V

The ends 15 and 15 of the partition 14, and i I the ends ofthe frame 20 have lapping flanges 15 which fit against the flanges 6 and 6 and 1 are secured thereto'byscrews 14 to hold the 7 plate and frame in proper position.

' The flange of thecover fits outside of the flange of the back or body, and the parts are connected by screw bolts 24 to the lugs 7 and 8 Preferably the openings for the screw or shaft of the arrow.

which by reflected light is white, and a-stencil plate 26 is held just behind the sheet. The

coverhas also certain cutouts, forming signal indications at the middle, compartment, and

it has a circular opening 27 at the lower coinpartment, which is closed by a lens 26, colored red, and serving as a tail light when illuminated.

Referring to Figures 7, l8 and 19, it will be seen that the cover has a collar 29, held in the opening 27, and that the lower edges of the sheet 25 and the stencil plate are recessed at 30 and 31, respectively, to receive the collar. The collar has radial openings 32 suitably spaced, and the stencil plate has pen fora-ted lugs 33 registering with the radial openings, when the stencil plate is properly placed in the cover; A split ring 34 fits within the collar, and the ring has radial lugs 35 which engage the openings of the, collar and those of the lugs 33, to lock the parts together.

The stencil plate is then held in the proper relation to the display opening 2, and by contracting the split ring the parts may be separated.

The stencil plate is roughly diamond shaped, and isarranged on the inner face the sheet 25, which being translucent hides the stencil plate until the casing is illuminated from within. The plate is of thin sheet material, to reduce the shadows cast by the edges of the cut-outs to be described, and the upper edge of the plate, and the side edges of the inclined sides are flanged, as indicated at 36 and 37 respectively, to reinforce and strengthen the plate. 0

The plate has cut-outs 38, 39 and39 -,fat the middle compartment, the cutouts 39 and 39 of arrowhead or spear-head shape, spaced apart from each other, being in fact outside the flanges 6 and 6 of the bracket. They are symmetrically arranged, with the points of the arrow-heads outward, and the cut-out 38 is between them, forming the body Each of the heads forms with the shaft a signal indication, the shaft being common to both indications.

At the display opening 2 and in the upper compartment of the casing, the stencil plate has cutout-s, sundry of which cooperate with sundry of the others to form a plurality of warning legends or signal indications, and the legends or indications have parts in common. Referring to Figurelfz, it will be seen that there is a cutout 40 forming the letterS, a plurality of cutouts 41 forming the letter 9, and another plurality forming the letter P. The letters Sand 0 are common to the and two "legends,-while the letter P ispeculiar to one of the two. 1

In addition to the cutouts above mentioned,

there are others, some peculiar to the letter L, and some peculiar to the letter T, and some common to both letters. The letter L is formed by cutouts 45, 46,47 and48, the first and the last two cooperating with another cutout 4L9 to formthe letter T. In addition to the cutouts forming the letters S and O, thev cutout-s 45, 47 and 48 are common to both legends.

Since the letter P is peculiar to one legend,

. and is alwaysshown in one color, redin the present instance, it is covered by a plate 50 of transparent material of the proper color, but

indication, while excluding it fromthe'parts or cutouts peculiar to the other signal or indication, and for imparting to the light adistinctive color.

The said means for the sources 11 and 11*, includes screensfil, 52, 53 and 54, the first 51 serving as a screen for the letter P, and it is arranged at the inner side of the cut-outs forming the letter, and near the adjacent side of the letter-7O. The screen 52 is inverted L-shape, and is designed to screenthe cutout 49, when the legend S10 is displayed, it being understood that in the present instance the legends S10 and Stop are used. The screen 53 is designed to screen the cutout 46 when. the'legend Stop is displayed, and the screen 5% is designed to screen the cutout 43 screen, and each has a non-reflecting face adjacent to the said cutout. The face away from the cutout is reflecting, that is white,

and the plane of each screen isin the line connectingthe axis of the screen with the source of'light. with which it does not cooperate in its screening function. The plane of each screen is at a reflecting angle to the rays from the source with which it does cooperate in its screening function. The arrange ment issuch that the rays from the source 11 will have an unrestricted passage through the cutouts forming the legend 810, while the rays from the source 11 will have an unrestricted passage through the cutouts forming the legend Stop.

The plate 50 over the cutout 42 serves also as a screen, when the legend S10 is displayed, for the letter P, and as a reflectorand absorber for the light from the source 11, to insure that the letter P will be invisible when the legend S10 is displayed.

The ray or color filter forthe sources 11 and 11 to provide distinctive colors for the legends, inthe present instance green for the fins 60 and 60*.

lar to the stencil plate, but the fins '60 and 60 are inclined inwardly. toward the fin 59.

Sheets 61 and 62 of transparent or trans- V lucent material are held by the plates between the fins, and the two sheets, which in the present instance are red and green respectively, close the two short faces of the casing formed by plates 57 and 58, and by the sheets. The'sheets are held in place by clips or lugs 63 on the plates, and adjacent to each is a light limiting screen or shield 6e, for restricting the amount of light passing through the sheet. 7 I V The open side of face ofthe casing comprising the light filter is positioned against "nut 65.

thejrear face ofthe stencil plate, covering all of the cutouts except that forming the letter P, and it is held in'place by a bolt and The bolt pames through an opening 66 in the flange 36 of the stencil plate, and through a registering opening in the plate 57. The parts are so arranged thatthej light sources 11 and 11? are directly'behind the sheets 61 and 62, and between the fins. Thus the light rays from the respective sources are directed through the appropriate filters to provide green li ht for the legend S10, and red light. for the legend Stop. l

The ray or light filters for the sources 16 -and 16 in the middle compartment are in LAO the form of sheets 67 and 68 of transparent or translucent material, the former colored green in the present instance and the latter red. As shown in Figure 20, each sheet has lugs 69 at its upper edge, which engage openings in the body portion of the partition 12, and the lower edge of eachhas a rounded notch 70 which fits over the adjacent socket 14 The sheets are arrangedratan angle of 1 about forty five degrees to the plane of the in the compartment.

stencil plate, and substantially perpendicu= lar tothe light rays from the adjacent source. Thus the sheets are at an angle to each other of about ninety degrees, and each-serves as a. reflector for the rays from the remote source, and as a transmitter for the rays from the adjacent source.

may strike the parts of the signal indications The sheets 67 and 68 are arranged across the openings formed in the flanges 6 and 6 by the bendingvof the lugs 8, 8*- and 9. 7

A parking light lens 72 is held in an opening in the cover between the upper and middle compartments, and in such position that the light from either compartment may pass through it. That is the lens is partly above Each is of an area such that no white light from the ad acent source and partly below the partition 12. .A portion 73 of the partition at the lens is struck out from remainder, and bent downward at an angle towards the back of the casing, so that there is a free passage for the-light from above or below the partition. When any indication, either legend or arrow, is illuminated,the parking light lens will be illuminated with light of a like color, in the present instance, greenfor Slo or right turn, and red for Stop or left turn.

Since the heads of the arrows or arrow inand the sheets 67 and 68 are depended upon a to impart the distinctive color to the rays from the appropriate source.

The frame 20 rests at its rear edge on a flange 76 atthe lower edge of the back or body, and it has a hood '77 depending from the front thereof, rounded and flanged to engage within the cover, it being understood that the lower edge of the cover between the flanges 6 and 6 of the bracket plate extends straight down to provide room for the frame.

In Figure 16 the blank from which the screens 52 and 54: are formed is shown. The portion of the blank forming the screen 52 is inverted L-shape, and screens the stem and one arm of the T, and the blank has a lateral extension forming the screen 54 for the cutout 48. The blank after bending to shapeis connected to that portion of the material of the stencil plate which is partly separated from the plate to make the cutout for the body of the letter L. The connection is made'by means of struck up lugs 80 on the portion 81 engaging openings in the blank, and bent to hold the parts together.

The bracket plate is deeply notched as shown at 79 in Figure 23, between the body 7 through the notches 78 in the collar, and are then bent down on the inner face of the collar, to hold the parts more firmly, and to prevent angular movement of thestencil Plate.

When the shield 73 is bent back upon the partition. 14, or cut away, the shaft 38. of the The lugs 33 of the stencil plate are bent arrow or turn indication is illuminated from the upper compartment, and becomes an underscore in white'for the legends Stop and S10. The light from the upper compartment, when either legend is illuminated is sufficiently strong to display theshaft, but not strong enough to illuminate the cutouts 39 and 39 The changes necessary in the adaptation of the-improved signal for use as a front signal are shown in Figures 26 and 25, it being understood however that the signal as described may be used as a front signal without change, if desired. Since the legends Slo and'Stop serve no purposeat the front,'they are omitted in the adaptation unless for any reason it is desired to retain them..

Referring to these figures it will be seen that the stencil plate for the front signal, indicated at 85 has a display field Dr opening 86, of approximately the same size as the opening 2*, and, similarly placed. In addition it has cutouts 87, 89 and 90, corresponding to the cutouts 39 and 39 and of the same shape. This plate takes the place of plate 26, so that instead of displaying legends, the front signal displays in'the upper compartment fields of color, green and red, in the present instance, when the rear signal displays Slo and Stop in like colors.

The combined filter and screen in the upper compartment, to distinctively color the light, is-similar in shape to, that of therear signal, previously described, except that it is larger, large enough in fact to cover the entire display field, and to screen itlfrom any light but that passing through colored sheets 95 and 96. The filter and screen is composed.

ofthe upper and lower plates-91 and 92, connected by the three fins 93 and 94, and the sheets 95 and 96. 1 g

In order to provide a telltale which will indicate that the signal is functioningproperly, and that the signal displayed is that intended to be displayed, the fin 93 may be made V- shaped or branched, the branches indicated at 93 and 93 in Figure 26, and each branch has an opening over which is held a sheet 97 and 98 of transparent or translucent material, colored to correspond with the adj acent sheet 95 or 96 as the case may be;

lVith this arrangemenh thelight from the 1 source 11 will be colored by the sheet 97 before it reaches the telltale lens, and the lens will be illuminated in green in the present instance. In like manner the light from source 11 will be coloredred by the sheet 97', and the lens will appearin like color. I

All of the light sources are electrically controlled, deriving current from either the storage battery 100 or the magneto 101. They may be controlled manually by suitable switch arranged convenient to the'driver.s hand, as for instance on the steering wheel, or

they may be controlled by the movement of certain mechanisms of the car on which the signals. are carried, as for instance, the steering mechanism or the brake or clutch pedal. In the latter case switches are provid ed which are operated, either directly or indirectly, by

the movement of the steering wheel in turning, and by the brake or clutch pedal in the performance of its functions, The last mentioned control is automatic, the steering wheel controlling the turn indication display, while the pedal controls the display of the legends.

The wiring including the switches is shown diagrammatically in Figure wherein a panel 104 is PI'OVIdQd for the instrument board, carryingmeans in the form of switches for connecting the light sources in circuit with either source of energy 100,101, with an electrically controlled audible signal 109, with either orboth of the switches or the automatic control, orwith the manual control switch,

as may be desired.

".The switches 105, 106, 107 and108, on the panel 104:, are composedeach of a switch arm and two contact buttons, and the three last I named are off and on, or cutout switches.

button of switch 108 are connected to the arm 113 of the -manually operated. switch to be described, by a lead wire 112, 126 and 129.

The light sources of the corresponding indications of the front and rearsignals are connected. in parallel to be simultaneously illuminated, and one terminal of each source is grounded, so that the current flows from switch 107 with the ungrounded terminal of the audible signal 109, which may be a horn or buzzer. The arrangement of the circuits 121' to 125 inclusive, is the same, and such that when current is delivered to the wire between the sources, apart thereof will flow through eachsource, the sourcesof each wire being thusinparallel. A lead wire 125 connects the on button of switch 106 with the wire 125, and lead wires 110 and 111 connect the respective buttonsof switch 105 with the storage battery 100. andthe magneto 101.

The arms of switches 102 and 103 are conand 133; with the circuits123 and 1 22 respec- Ytively,f A like service is performed for the buttonsofswitch 103 and the circuits 121 and 125,-by lead wires 132 and133t The switch 108 is designed tor control by th'e. steering The arms of the switch 105-106 and the on' x will display the right or'left turn'indi-cation,

. and contact buttons'll l, 115,116, 116 117 118, 119 and 120.- The arm is so constructed, and the buttons are so arranged, that contact may be made with certain pairs of selected buttons. Thusthe arm may engage simultaneously buttons 115 and 116, or buttons 117 and 11 8. The buttons 11 1 and 115are connected by acommon lead wire" 134-with'circuit 121. The buttons 116, 116 and 117 are connected by av common lead wire 135 with circuit 122. The buttons 118 "and. 119 are connected by a common lead Wire 136 with the circuit 124:, and the button 120 is connected by a wire 137 to the circuit 123.

Premising that the switch 105 is arranged toconnect one of the sources of'energy to the arm 113 of the'manual control, the said arm will make connections with the-circuits as follows:

On the button 114, with circuit 121to display the left turnindications; on buttons 115 and 116, with circuits 121 and 122 to display the left turn indication and thelegend Slo; on button 116, with circuit 122 to display the legend Slo; on buttons 117 and 118,.W117l'1 circuit 122 and 124, to display the right'turn indication and thelegend Slof; pn button119, with circuit 124; to display the right turn indication, andon button 120 with circuit 123 todisplay the legend Stop.

By'means of the switches on thepanel 104,

the system may be connected up in the manner desired; to take current from either source;

to include or leave out the audible signal, and

to operate automatically or manually. hen

operated automatically, slowing for a turn willdisplaythe legend Slo',-and the movement of the steering wheel tomake'the turn in accordance-witlrthe direction the wheel is turned. This arrangement is of especial util- :ity where the attention of the driver must be centeredon the driving, as for instance in city streets,or wh erever theitraffic is heavy.

' lVhen ra'frontsignalis used the field thereof will display green and red when the rear signal displays S10 and Stop respectively, and the turn indications will correspond with thoseldisplayed by the rear signaLl The same signal might be used in front as is; used in the rear, but the legends are unn are preferably omitted.

Taken as a whole the signal is of' pleasing appearance, and maybe mounted :on the car wherever desired, or where required'hy the regulationsof the State in which the' car is licensed. The colors in which the indications are displayed may also be made to conform pear.

e cessa ry, and

to regulations Where colors other than green and red are required, they will be used. Transparent or translucent sheets of the color required will be substituted for those of green and red. Thesheet 21 above the license plate may likewise be made toconform with regulations, as may also the sidelights. I

.One of thedistinctive features ofthe improved signal is the absence of moving parts. Everything is fixed and stable. Another is the use of bulbs'of plain glass, to be obtained anywhere in case of breakage. Another is the easy adaptation of the signal to color requirements, and the minor changes required to adapt the signal for front or rear use.

The legends and the turn indications have in common, that in each there is a plurality of designs on a common field, and with arts common to both'designs, the arrow sha the turn indications, and the letters S and O for the legends; that the several designs are displayed by light striking from diiferent anfor gle's; and-that all are displayed by light from a selected direction, that is from within the casing. V I V The sheet of translucent material between the stencil plate and the front or cover conceals the designs by reflected light, it being 3 obvious that were there any object to be gained by doing'so, the'cutouts for the turn indications might be in the stencil plate, so

field through which theindicationswould ap- (The circuit wires for'the sourcesare collected into a cable. or cables, indicated at 14-0,

which passes through the bushing to the switch board.

' What I claim aslnew is:

1. In a traffic signal, a stencil plate having cutouts cooperating in groups toform lettersfor a plurality of words, sundry of the groups constituting letters common to all the words, another of the groups having parts i cooperating to form independent letters each of which is peculiar to oneof the'words, and V sundry of the partsbeing common to both lett'ers,"a source of light for each word, the

sources positioned to illuminate the plate r from different angles,'means to distinctively color the light from each source, and means in connection with the plate for screening the 1 parts peculiarto each word when the source pertaining to the other word is illuminatedi said means includinglight filters opaque to the colorof the lightfrom said other'source.

2. Ina trafiic signal, a stencil plate having 7 cutouts cooperating in groups to form letters for two words, sundry ofthe groups cooperatingto form single let-ters'common to both words, another group havingparts cooperating'to form, twoletters each peculiar to one of the'words an'dwith sundry of the parts H a common to the two; letters, a sourceof light for each word, the sources positioned to 'illulected parts of the last named group to.

shadow said parts against light coming from one of the sources, and means to distinctively color the light from each source, including differently colored she'ts of transparentmaterial, the sheets between the sources'and the plate and held at an angle withrespect to each other, such that each willserve as a reflector for light passing through the other.

3. In a trafiic signal, a stencil having cutouts cooperating in groups to form-lettersfor two words, sundry of which letters are common to both words and others peculiar to eacl' word, a source of light for each word, the sources positioned to illuminate the stencil from difierent angles, means to screen the cut-1 outs of each of the last named lettersfrom light transmitted by the source pertaining tothe other word, and means to distinctively color the light from eachsource, including differently colored sheets of transparent material, each supported between a source and the stencil, and a frame in which the sheets are held positioned against the stencil and forming therewith and with the sheets a closed chamber, said sheets held at an angle to each other, such that each sheet reflects the light from the other source.

4. In a traflic signal, a stencil plate having cutouts cooperating in groups to form. the letters of two words, a source of light for each word, the sources positioned to illuminate the plate trom ditierent angles, screens to shadow sundry of the cutouts from illurni nation by one source thereby to enable the words to be displayed in alternation, and means to distinctively color the light from each source, including differently colored transparent sheets one arranged between each source and the plate, and supported atfsubstantially an angle with respect to each other,

such that one will reflect the light by the other;

transmitted 5. In a trailie signal, a stencil plate having cutouts cooperating in groupsto form the,

' letters of two words, a source ot'light for each word, the sources positioned to illuminatethe plate from diiierent angles, screens to shadow sunory of the cutouts from illumi-' nation by one sourcethereby -to enable the words to be displayed in alternation, and

means to distinctively colorthe light from each source, including differently colored transparent sheets one arranged between each source and the plate, and supported at substantially an angle with respectto each other, such that one will reflect the light transmitted by the other, a frame connected with the plate for supporting the sheets and forming with the plate and sheets a closed cha1nber,:. the stencilplate having a cutout serving as an underscore for both Words and belowgthe frame thereby to enable the underscore to be illuminated by uncolored light from either source. I

' 6. A traflic signal including a casing having in one Wall an opening, a stencil plate for l the opening havingcutouts cooperating in groups to form two indicating signals, a

source of light torea'ch signal, the'sources p'ositioned within the casing to illuminate the plate from different angles, screens to shadow one or moreof the cutouts from illumination by one source, thereby to enable the indications to be displayed in alternation, means to distinctively color the light from each source,

including differently colored transparent, sheets one arranged between each'source and the plate, and supported-at an angle with respect to each other such that one will reflect the light transmitted by the other, a frame connected with the plate for supporting the sheets and forming with the plate and sheets a closed chamber, the casing having a cutout in the opposite wall from the stencil plate to provide a telltale light and withinthe same chamber therebyto be illuminated in accord ance with the signal. displayed.

7. In" a tratfic signal, a casing having cut outstorming two designs'with one or more parts incommon and one or more parts peculiar to each design, a source of light foreach design, the sources positioned.toilluminate the cutouts from dili erent angles, and diilerently colored transparent sheets'arranged between the respective sources and 'the cutouts,

each positioned to transmit light to the cutouts from'the adjacent; source and arranged at anangle to the other sheetsuch that-light transmitted thereby will be reflected toward thecutouts.

8. In a .traihc signal, a casing having cutjoutsforming two designs with parts in fcommen and parts peculiar to each design, a

source of light foreach design, the sources positionedto illuminate the cutouts from ditferent angles, and diller ently colored t-rans-' parent sheets arranged between the respeclSlVB sources and the cutouts, each positioned to transmit light to the cutouts from the adjacent source and arranged at an angle to the other sheet such that light transmitted therearranged near each end of the plate, each lamp designed to illuminate one word, a trams abutt ng the plate between the same and the lamps, and sheets of transparent material supported by the frame, each sheetpositioned to transmit the light from ahead-' v jacent lamp and to reflect the light from' the other lamp, said sheets differently, colored to illuminate the words indifferent colors.

10. In a device 7 of the class described, a stencil plate having cutouts forming aplurality of words on a common field, a lamp arranged near each end of the plate, each 'lamp A designed to illuminate one word, a frame abutting the plate between the same. and the lamps, and sheets of transparent material supportedby the frame, each sheet positioned to transmit the light from the adjacent lamp andv to reflect the light from the other lamp, said sheets differently colored to illuminate the words in different colors, one of the words including cutouts outside of the frame,v and a transparent sheet of the same color asthe sheet through which light is transmitted to the word covering said cutouts.

11. In a signalling device, a casing having a plurality of compartments, and a plurality ofsignalling indications in one wall at each compartment visible by transmitted light, means to illuminate any selected indication with light of a distinctive color, a telltall indication, and means whereby the illumination of either signal indication will simultaneously illuminate the telltale inclication with light vof like color.

12. In a deviceof the class described, a

pair of shells, one a back and the other a cover, and fitting one within theother to form a closed casing, and'a supporting bracket for the casing, comprising a body engaging the" outer face of the back shell and side flanges extending into the'casing between theshells y and engaging the top and bottom ofthe casa 13. In adevice of the-classdescribed, a pair of shells, one a back and the other a cover,

and fltting'one within the other to form a closed :casing, and a supporting bracket for the casing, comprising a body engaging the outer face of the back shell and side flanges extending intothe casing between the shells and engaging the top and bottom of the easing, the ends of the casing spaced apart'from the flangesbetween the top andbottom of the-casing. V V

14 In a device of the class described, a pair of shells, one aback and the other a cover,iand fitting one within the othertofform a closed'casing, andfa supporting bracket for the casing, comprising a body engaging the outer face of the backshell and side'flanges 1 extending intothecasing between the shells extensions of the casing 7 I 15.:"Ina deviceof the Class-described, a

and engaging the top'and bottom-of the casing, the ends of the casing spaced apart from the flanges between V the top ,and bottom of the casing, the flanges having open ngs at the 7 pair of, shells,-one a fbfiCk-filld the" othera cover, and tting' one'within the other to form a closed casing, a supporting bracket for the casing, comprising a body engaging the outer face of the back and side flanges eX- flanges and dividing the casing into an upper, a lower, and a middle compartment, the ends of the casing spaced apart from the 17. In a' device of the classdescribed, a pair of-shells, one a back and theother a cover and fitting one within the other to tending intojthe casing between the shells and' stillengaging the top and bottom of the casing, and partitions extending betweenthe bottom supported by the flanges. 1

form a casing, a supporting bracket forthe a casing, comprising a body engaging the out- -erface of the back and side flanges extending into-the casing between the shells and engaging the top and bottom thereof, said casing open at the bottom between the flanges, and a frame carrying a central and lateral transparent sheets supported by the flanges to close the bottom, the lateral sheets inclined to the central sheet to provide side lights when the'casing is illuminated, the flanges apertured at the sheets.

18 In a device ofthe class described, a display front having translucent display field's, and a circular opening for a tail light lens, a collarheld in the opening, a stencil plate with designs,cand a concealing translucent sheet-between the plate and the front, both plate and sheet recessed to receivethe collar, a lens seatediin thecollar,{the stencil platewha ving lugs fitting outside the collar,

the lugsand collar having'registering open-1 ings, and a split ring seated within the collar onthe lens and provided with lugs engaging the registering openings. i l v V '19, A signalling device including a plurality of. words ;which have "certain letters in common and at least one-letter in each word" peculiar to the said word, said last named letters'ofj'fthe words' so arranged that' parts thereof are common to both l'etters, .asource of light foreachword,"saidsources arranged to illuminate the words from different anglesf and screensto shield the parts of .eachvletter c not commonfto' both fromthe light source which is designed'rto illuminate the other word, said screens offering noimpediment to c the passage of lig ht from the other source;

1 meaaoe 20. Ina tra ficsignal, astencil plate hav ing cutouts cooperating in groups to form letters for a plurality of words, sundry of the groups constituting letters common to all the words, another of the. groups having parts cooperating to-form independentletters each i of which is peculiar to one of the words, and

sundry of the parts being common to both letters, a single source of light for each word,

one or another of the indications, a source of white light for each signal indication positioned respectivelytoilluminate said display field from'difi'erent angles thus to selectively display the indications and dlfierently colored transparent color screens positioned respectively between said light sources and said display field so as to color the light trans mitted throu h the screens from theres ec tive sources to the common parts of said. signal indications whereby the latter maybe se-slectively illuminated in different colors by said light sources.

22.v Ina signal, incombination, a display field having two distinct signal indications with one or more parts common to both indications andone or more parts individual to one or another of theindications,a source of white ligat for each signal indication positioned respectively to illuminate said display field from different angles thus to selectively display the indications and diflerentlycolored transparent color screenspositioned respecthrough the 1 screens from the respective sources to the common parts of said signal indications whereby the latter maybe'selectively illuminated in difi'erent colors by said light sources, and another'light screen 001- ored similarly to one of the first mentioned color screens and positioned adjacent to one of the individual parts of said signal indications so as to transmit and colorvthe light from one of said sources to said last mentioned individual part. i 3

23. In a signal, in combination, a casing having a display field provided with'two distinct direction indications including a part common to both indications and a directin part individual to each indication, a source of light tordisplaying each direction indication and means including 'difierentlycolored light screens, one positioned between'each said source and the display field, and through which the rays from said'sources are respeclight screens one positioned between each said source and the display field and through which the rays from said sources are'respecsaid signal indication. tively between said light sources and'said ,dis-' play field so as to color the light transmitted tively transmitted for selectively displaying the said common part of said direction inclicationain diiterent colors.

24. In a signal,'in combination, a casing havinga-idisplay field provided with two distinctdirection indications including a part common to both indications and a directing part individual tofeacliindication, a source of light for displaying each direction indication and means including difl'erently'colored tively transmitted for selectively displaying the said common part of saidi'direction' indi cation in difierent colors,'and an individual transparent color screen for each of said directing parts of the respective direction indications. l. x 1

a 25. In a signal, in combination, a display field 'having two distinct signal indications with-one or more parts common to both'indications :and one or more parts individual to oneor another of the indications; a source of light for each signal lIlCllcietl On positioned respectively toilluminate. said display field from different angles thustoselectively display the indications, differently colored transparent color screens positioned to transmit light fromthe respective sources tothe' commonparts of said signal indications whereby the'latter may be selectively illuminatedindifierent colors by. said light sources, and an individual transparenticolor screen for one of said individualparts of the signal indications, one of said first mentioned color screens being angularlyposit-ioned with reference to the display field and-having one end positioned adjacent said last mentioned screen?andsubstantially intermediate the latter s'creenand the adjacentcommon' part of 26. In a signal, in combination,- a display field havingiapluralityof words each with V at least one letter peculiar thereto, said pei culiar let-tersoccupying the same'letter space on the display field, said peculiar letters havi'ng a 'part common to both and parts individual to each,"a' source of light for. illuminating each word,'each source positioned so that di r-ect light rays therefrom willilluminate all the letters of the respective words, and battles to shield the -individual partsof said peculiar letters of each word from the lightrays'emanating from the source of light for the other word but being positionedsubstantiallypare allel to 'light rays emanating from the other source so {as to ,olter no obstruction to the direct I light rays emanating therefrom will illuminate all of the letters of the: respective Words, and meansto prevent direct light rays 'from the source for each Word from illuminating thersaid peculiar letter for another WOI'Cl.

28. In a signal, 1n combination, a display fieldhaving a pluralityof Words each-With at least one letter peculiar-thereto, saidpeculiar letters occupying the same letter space on the display field, said peculiar letters having a part common to both and parts individual to eacl1,'a source of light for illuminating a iilrzse,

,bia, this 25thday ofJuly,A.D.- 1929.

means whereby? the illumination of :saidf display field" in a selected-color will ;-simultaneously illuminate ;the telltale indication" in the samecolor. I is p Signed-afWashington, District of Goluin- EDWARDXCOOPER TAYLOR; j i

each word, each source positioned so thatdi- 'rect light rays emanating therefrom will illuminate all the letters of the respective Words,

' each said source.positionediso'that 'light rays emanating therefrom willifallat an oblique angleuponthe: letter space occupied by said peculiar letters and flat baffle plates to shield l the individual; parts of said peculiar letters of each wordfrom the light raysiemanating frointhe'so-urce of light for-the other Word, the'planesof the said baffle: plates for shielding the-individual parts of one peculiar letter being disposed substantially at the oblique angle of the rays. fromthe s-ource for illumi nating. the other peculiarletter.

"29'.- In a signal, in combination, adisplay 1 held for displaying signal indications, a plurality of light sources spaced apart and'each positioned for illuminating said display field, a translucent color screen for :each light source, each positioned-to transmit light rays 1 emanating from one source to said display "field, said color screens having flat surfaces field for displayin signal indications,.a :plu-

rality of light sources spaced Tap art andeach positioned forilluminating said display field,

a translucent color screen for each: light source, each" positioned to transmit lightiray's emanating from one source-'to-said display field, said color; screens having flatz surfaces angularly related to said display field and with the light rays from the respective source such that light rays ifrorn ea'ch sourcepassing through one color screenmay impinge upon the adjacent flat surfiaceof "the other color screen 5 and be reflected thereby to illuminate said display field, and said color screens being i of'complemental colors-so that lightrays colored by one-"screen"will notrreadily pass ,7 through the other screen. j Y

, 31;".In' asignal, in combination, 3550215111,:

havingia displayrfiejld fond'isp-layingnsignal i indications, means :to selectively-illuminatesaid display-fietd:in distinctiye colors, a teI-ltale indication mounted on sai'd oasii g and 

